In Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Tigers the Indians responded to a five-run deficit early before eventually taking the lead in the seventh. A three-run eighth by Detroit, with Betancourt on the mound, all but squashed them after that.

''We have to keep fighting,''
Mark DeRosa (told Sheldon Ocker). ''We'd like to get over the hump and string two wins together. It seems like every time we're ready to get rolling, something negative happens, and we end up losing the game.''

Matt LaPorta played first base for the the first time this season the other night for Columbus. Indians manager Eric Wedge plans on using him there, as well as right field, left field and designated hitter.

MEDICAL UPDATES —
Jake Westbrook (Tommy John) twice threw batting practice in Goodyear, Ariz., for the first time since his surgery and is scheduled to do it again Monday and Friday.

''If all goes well, he will get his first game activity, pitching one inning [20 pitches] next Monday,'' head trainer Lonnie Soloff said.

Jamey Carroll (broken finger) is taking groundballs and began a hitting program, which has advanced to swinging at balls on a tee. He is scheduled to take batting practice in Toronto Monday or Tuesday. If he has no setbacks, he will be sent on a rehab assignment after the Tribe returns home late in the week.

''He has shown significant improvement since Wednesday [when he sustained the injury],'' Soloff said of Smith.

TWO SURGERIES TWICE AS GOOD — Why does Adam Miller need two operations to repair his right middle finger?

''Dr. [Tom] Graham thinks that's the best way to minimize the formation of scar tissue in the finger,'' Soloff said.

Graham inserted a silicone rod in the finger, because scar tissue cannot form on it. If scar tissue does develop, it might restrict the range of motion and strength of the finger and jeopardize Miller's career.

• OK, let's look back even further. The Rays (9-14) and Indians (8-14) won't enjoy learning that only 10 of the 160 playoff teams since 1982 finished April more than three games under .500. And just one team since 1935 -- the 1979 Pirates -- was more than three games under after April and won the World Series.